A Lifelong Curse of Mistaken Identity

Ever since I signed myself up for a Gmail account in 2004, I've gotten bizarre, out-of-context emails intended for some other person named Sarah Lane. I realize that both 'Sarah' and 'Lane' are common names, but still. Seems like a lot. And I'm not talking spam or anything. You can tell that these are actual people who just somehow got that other Sarah Lane's addy wrong. For example, I received the following email earlier today (names have been omitted to protect the innocent):

(innocent):

THank you all for your interest in Spanish!

Our Monday class has filled up in the blink of an eye and I have organized a second class to happen on Thursday at the same time 3 till 4pm.
Would that be OK for your little ones? If not, we probaby ask for some of the Monday students to switch.
I have your names confirmed for a start on Thursday NOv 6th and if there is any problem , let me know.
Also if you have not send the form to me yet, please at least let me know which class they are in and if there are going to be picked up or stay at afterschool.

THank you!

(my response):

Hi, you have the wrong email address for Sarah Lane. Please check her address. Thx.

(innocent's response):

Apologies, I used what was on the form. Can you confirm Thursday is OK for Christopher?
Thanks.

This confused correspondence went on a little longer, but you get the gist. And since I'm out of ideas, I'll just go ahead and say YES, Thursday is ok for Christopher. Thursday is ALWAYS ok for Christopher. But I really do prefer that you check with his mother, Sarah Lane. The one who signed up for Gmail too late to get the cooler Sarah Lane-based email address. ZING! (yep, never going to grow up)

Comments

[Your neighbor]

So your gmail is [email protected]?

Zing or no zing?

[Joey]

Taking Spanish, now, huh? :) Tell the little guy hi for me. Ha Ha!

[Coby Gannaway]

Poor little Christopher! Just a pawn in this tragic email snafu. Why must the children suffer Sarah...why must you make them suffer? Now this is funny. Child suffering is actually a plus for me because I teach. Love you mean it as always Sarah my dear!
Coby

[Sarah]

I am a Sarah Lane too. About two years ago, I Googled myself and came across your travel site (which was awesome, btw) and I added your blog to my feeder list. I tried watching your Revision 3 show a couple of times, but it kind of weirded me out to hear someone else saying, "I'm Sarah Lane."

I'm guessing that there are a couple hundred Sarah Lanes out there ...

[anon]

reminds me of this

http://www.simplygeeky.com/archives/2008/06/thinking-of-3000-inappropriate.php

also made me laugh :)

[rickfle]

Unbelievable - they acknowledge that they have the wrong email, and apologize, even; but they still want you to confirm the appointment. WTF?

[Critter]

Sarah the answer is simple. Your reply got sent to at "Tier 1 Help Center" overseas. Complain more next time and you are routed to "Tier 2" back in the states.

[Jose]

The same thing has been happening to me and I don't have a common last name but apparently now my construction equipment is ready in central america.

[Saturday]

Ahh..you told the person they had the wrong email for Sarah Lane, not that they had the wrong Sarah Lane.
Just don't start chanting "There can only be one."

[Valerie]

The same thing happens to my husband! (Well, with his name, of course.) How annoying is that? And kinda fun too. ;)

[Yod]

Omg this happens to me all the time. So my gmail address is my Xbox gamertag. It also is close to some idiot's real name. Of course I got the one he wanted [his first initial][his last name]@gmail.com, so he gets [first name].[last name]@gmail.com.

BUT

He keeps out giving out my email address (as evidenced by the mail trails attached to something sent to my address, where his sig block lists MY email address). This does not bode well for him, as he is apparently a freelance web designer and uses this as his work correspondence email.

At first I would just forward the emails erroneously sent to me with a note that this was not his email address and to please use the correct email so he would get his correspondence. Sometimes he would thank me. Other times, he would reply TO ME as if I was the one doing business with him. And even other times he would start arguing with me about who I was and why I had "his" email address (I got this gmail address on day 2 of public beta, and it's been my screenname since 1999).

Eventually I gave up as the volume increased. I crafted a two page long canned response describing the situation, how I used to pass along the misdirected emails, and then describing my ordeal trying to get through to this individual over what should have been a very simple concept. The response ends with a plea from me for the person writing the individual to please try and get him to understand what his actual email address is.

I replied with this every time I got this guy's mail. The volume has slowed down, but I saw a recent email he sent out where he STILL persists in listing MY email address. I can only surmise my canned reply is costing him business. Maybe he'll learn. Someday.

[Hoke Wilcox]

OK me too....I have had my account with Gmail when they first started with invites since then I have met...

Harrison Wilcox a writer on Heros!
Harry Wilcox who has something to do with colonoscopy and was in the military
and
Heather Wilcox who works in LA and does something in the mental health arena

I gave up, except the time Harrison got a prompt from the attorneys to hurry up and sign his contract about some graphic novel based on Heros! Very interesting....